I am always looking for ways to improve the concert-going experience. As artists, I think we need to find a better way to attract and retain an audience. We need to think about concert programming and how to put pieces together that will be interesting to the audience and help our students learn about musicality and programming. I have always disliked going to percussion concerts and/or recitals and watching percussionists move equipment in between pieces. For this reason, I generally choose to have three parts on my percussion ensemble programs with minimal (or no) movements in between pieces. This takes some planning, but I think it is a more enjoyable show for the audience. (more…)
Considered one of the first multi-percussion concertos, Darius Milhaud’s ‘Concerto Pour Batterie et Petit Orchestre’ (1929-30) is a masterwork in the percussion repertoire. Joseph Gramley and the University of Michigan Percussion Studio has put together a seven part documentary on this landmark piece. Bravo to Joe Gramley, Jonathan Ovalle and the UM Percussion Studio on this great historical resource.
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LAPQ Performs “The Year Before Yesterday” by Shaun Naidoo. This is the title track from their album on Sono Luminus.
Since 2009, the GRAMMY-nominated Los Angeles Percussion Quartet (LAPQ) has forged a distinct identity as a world-class contemporary chamber music ensemble that is dedicated to commissioning and presenting new works for percussion quartet. Originally, members Nick Terry, Matt Cook, Justin DeHart, and Cory Hills joined together to create a classical percussion ensemble that would champion the important contributions of 20th century West Coast composers while collaborating with local artists to continue the tradition of innovation and exploration. Today, the group continues their mission while broadening creative output through recordings, performances, and educational outreach.
Tongue and Groove by Robert Paterson
Performed by Micheal Barnes and Liz Cullen
ABOUT THE PIECE:
The title, Tongue and Groove, is borrowed from carpentry, and is a method of fitting similar objects together edge to edge. It also refers to the rhythmic interaction between the instruments and to how the different lines precisely follow each other.
The marimba part in the original version of this work uses six mallets. In order to allow percussionists who are unfamiliar with six mallet technique to play this piece, I created this four mallet version. The only difference between the two is that I removed a few notes here and there, but the essential feel is the same.
Tongue and Groove is also available in a four mallet version, and both versions were commissioned by CASE Arts Group Inc. and a consortium of performers.
Inside out Steelband Concert on April 21, 2015 in Austin, TX. With guest Artist Khan Cordice. Thanks to CJ Menge, Matt Ehlers and Amy Suggs for doing such a great job on my composition.
